Thomas wandered through the town’s streets after breakfast, the cobblestones still damp from the morning dew. The elderly female beastman, who ran the morning shift at the inn, had greeted him like usual. But there was no sign of Lirien. He shrugged it off and decided to stroll, absorbing the town’s atmosphere as he listened to the lively buzz around him.
A pair of citizens were talking nearby, and Thomas couldn’t help but overhear. They were discussing the capital, the bustling life there, and how, without money, you might as well be invisible. Thomas chuckled to himself. It was just like Earth—New York City, where if you weren’t loaded, you could practically be mistaken for a beggar.
He approached them casually. “Hey, I overheard you talking about the capital. Could you tell me where the magic academy is?”
One of the citizens, a man with a weathered face and a tired look, glanced at him curiously before answering, “It’s in the capital, of course. But… magic academy, huh? You planning to go?”
Thomas scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, I was thinking about it. But, uh, what if someone can’t use mana yet? Would you still recommend it?”
The man gave him a look like he’d just asked whether fish needed water to swim. “You serious? Look, if you don’t know how to use mana yet, the academy’s gonna eat you alive. It’s competitive as hell. You’d get buried. Trust me. You’re better off renting or buying some basic magic books to get started before you think about enrolling. The library’s in the capital too.”
Thomas nodded, taking that in. “Good to know. How’s the cost of living over there compared to here?”
“Capital’s cheaper. Royal family’s got the logistics down. Prioritize the big cities, you know? Towns and villages around here, though? Prices are higher. But hey, if you’ve got the coin, the capital’s the place to be.”
Thomas smiled, “Thanks for the info.” With that, he walked off, his mind racing with new ideas. Maybe the magic academy wasn’t the place to start, but hitting the capital’s library and getting some books on the basics? That was a solid plan.
Chat (imagining if it were on): MagicMan500: Lmaooo, "you serious?" Dude looked at Thomas like he’s an idiot. SorcerySavage: Capital’s cheaper? Nice, finally some good news. BowSlinger007: Bro, you better hit the library before stepping into Hogwarts here.
Thomas entered the guild hall, greeted by Ingrid’s ever-casual smile. He scanned the quest board, eyes darting between postings, looking for an escort mission to the capital. Nothing caught his eye at first. Just as he was about to turn away, Ingrid stepped forward, posting a fresh parchment onto the board.
“There we go,” she said, giving him a knowing smile. “Escort to the capital. Five escorts needed.”
Without hesitation, Thomas approached her. “Sign me up for that,” he said.
Ingrid raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Heading to the capital, huh? Taking a little tour?”
Thomas nodded, trying to keep it cool. “Yeah, I’ve got some shopping to do. Maybe pick up a few books on mana.” He winked, half-joking, half-serious.
Ingrid chuckled before sliding him an envelope and 10 silvers. “Here, take this. Deliver it to the head guildmaster in the capital. Consider this a personal quest, just for you. And... keep it confidential from the other adventurers, alright?”
Thomas eyed the envelope, realizing it was probably some high-level guild business. Maybe like a medieval version of a CIA drop or something. “Got it,” he said, pocketing the silvers and the letter without asking anything further.
Ingrid tilted her head, clearly expecting more curiosity. “You’re not going to ask what’s inside? Or why it’s confidential?”
Thomas smirked. “I know enough not to ask questions when things are labeled ‘confidential.’ Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”
Thomas sat in the corner of the guild hall, casually scrolling through his Internet Skill, watching his stream chat bubble to life as he turned it on. It had become part of his routine at this point—just another day in his world and theirs.
The guild hall was slowly filling with adventurers. Some were high-ranked, sporting their worn-out gear, others looked like they’d just finished a hunt, dragging monster loot to cash in. Everyone was buzzing with activity, quests being picked up, conversations about hunts, strategy, and loot distribution. The vibe was intense, and yet, here he was—waiting.
He had signed up for the escort mission to the capital, but no one else had bothered. “Where the hell is everyone?” Thomas muttered under his breath.
Chat: ArcaneBlade: Looks like the solo life chose you, bro. VoidKnight21: LMAO nobody wants to be stuck with an escort mission. FlameWarden: Can’t believe he’s just chilling there with no party. Bruh. IronMage69: Watch a group of noobs show up. Bet.
As if on cue, the doors of the guild hall creaked open, and a group of four youngsters walked in, their gear shiny and new—no visible scratches, no dents. They barely looked like they’d been through a proper fight. Thomas raised an eyebrow as they approached the quest board, stopping in front of the escort parchment. They exchanged glances before one of them, a kid with messy brown hair and an oversized sword strapped to his back, pulled the parchment off the board.
They headed straight to Ingrid.
She pointed at Thomas, who was still sitting in the corner, watching the whole thing unfold. The party of four hesitated for a moment, whispering among themselves before walking over to him.
“Uh... you’re Thomas?” the kid with the sword asked, his voice barely concealing his nerves.
Thomas smirked, waving to his stream like he was the star of some reality show. “Yeah, that’s me.”
Chat: DragonLord: LOL look at these baby adventurers. They don’t know what’s coming. RuneMaster: Look at that sword. He can barely hold it! ShadowDancer23: Thomas boutta carry this whole squad. TrueBlade: I give them five minutes before they freak out.
The group was clearly new, but Thomas wasn’t about to leave them hanging. He got up, stretched, and nodded toward Ingrid. “Guess we’re all in this together.”
Ingrid guided them outside the guild hall toward the merchant wagon they’d be escorting. A middle-aged merchant, with a long beard and sharp eyes, stood next to it, inspecting his goods. He glanced at the party, then at Thomas, clearly sizing them up.
“Good, you’re all here,” the merchant said gruffly. “We’re heading to the capital. I hope you lot can handle yourselves.”
The party of four nodded eagerly. Thomas, on the other hand, just gave a casual thumbs up, half his attention still on the chat.
Chat:
FrostBite: Merchants already done with y’all lol.
VoidKnight: This merchant looks like he’s seen some stuff. Y’all better not mess this up.
ArcaneBlade: Bet Thomas gonna show these kids how it’s done.
*ManaMage_: Bro’s got that ‘I ain’t doing this for free’ look.
The wagon set off, and the escort mission officially began. The party of four walked in a loose formation around the wagon while Thomas trailed behind, his gaze scanning the treeline and the vast plains beyond. The road was wide, but the wilderness around them felt endless—stretching out in every direction like a sea of green.
Halfway to the capital, the road started narrowing, flanked by denser forest on one side and rolling plains on the other. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the dirt path.
Chat:
*DragonHeart_: Man, I’m telling you, something’s gonna jump out of those trees.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
*SilverBow_: Watch your back, bro.
*FireWarden_: Anyone else feel like this is the part where a bunch of bandits show up?
Thomas kept his guard up, eyes flicking between the trees and the chat. It felt too quiet, and if there was one thing he had learned about this world, it’s that quiet meant something was about to go down.
He caught the eyes of the newbie swordsman ahead, the guy looking back at him nervously as if sensing the tension.
“You good?” Thomas asked casually.
The kid gulped, nodding. “Yeah... yeah, I think so.”
Chat:
*RuneMaster_: Kid’s shaking. He’s not good at all, LOL.
*DragonLord_: I give them five minutes.
*FrostBite_: These noobs are about to learn what an escort quest really is.
The journey to the capital was only half-done, but the real challenge had yet to begin. Thomas knew it. The chat knew it. And it wouldn’t be long before the newbies learned it too.
As the party continued down the narrow path, a small wagon appeared up ahead, its wheels resting awkwardly on the dirt. It was an odd sight—there were no horses or mules in sight to pull the wagon, and the crate strapped to the back was unsteady, as if it might tumble off any second.
The robed figure crouched next to the wheel, fiddling with something underneath the wagon. Thomas narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping in. The figure wore a dark robe that draped over them like shadows, and the outline of a sword peeked from beneath the fabric, just visible enough to catch his attention.
Chat:
FrostBite: Yo, what’s up with that wagon? Looks sketchy as hell.
VoidKnight: Is that a trap? Tell me that’s a trap!
IronMage69: Someone’s about to get shanked, I can feel it.
With a quick motion, Thomas nocked an arrow, his instincts kicking in. He steadied his breath, his heart pounding in rhythm with the whispers of the chat. The world around him fell silent, his focus zeroing in on the robed figure, who remained blissfully unaware of the impending danger.
Chat: RuneMaster: No way he’s about to do this! DragonLord: Bet he won’t hit it. *ManaMage_: Just shoot already, bro!
Before he could second-guess himself, Thomas released the arrow. It sailed through the air like a streak of vengeance, hitting the robed figure square in the chest. The figure staggered back, the hood of the robe falling back to reveal a masked bandit.
Chat:
FrostBite: WHAT THE F**K?! He actually did it!
VoidKnight: OOOOHHHH, let’s go!
TrueBlade: Holy sh*t, he’s not messing around!
The bandit let out a pained grunt, stumbling backward before reaching for the sword hidden beneath the robe. But Thomas wasn’t going to let that happen. He quickly drew another arrow, aiming for the bandit’s hand.
With a flick of his wrist, he let the second arrow fly, and it struck true, pinning the bandit’s hand to the wagon’s side. The bandit screamed, eyes wide with shock and pain.
“Looks like you’re not fixing that wheel anytime soon,” Thomas called out, a smirk creeping onto his face.
Chat: RuneMaster: That was savage! DragonLord: Holy sh*t! This man’s going full Rambo on us! FrostBite: This is what we came for! More action!
The party of four stood frozen in disbelief, eyes wide as they processed what had just unfolded.
“W-What just happened?” the swordsman stammered, gripping his weapon tightly.
Thomas turned to the party, his demeanor shifting from playful to serious. “We’ve got a bandit on our hands. Keep your wits about you; he might have friends nearby.”
The bandit, struggling against the pain, glared at Thomas. “You’ll regret this, fool! You’ve no idea what you’re dealing with!”
Chat:
VoidKnight: Damn, this dude is cliche.
TrueBlade: LOL classic bandit line. What’s next, a monologue?
ArcaneBlade: Just put him down already!
Before the bandit could finish his threat, the sound of rustling leaves echoed from the surrounding forest. Thomas’s instincts flared, and he turned his gaze toward the noise, heart racing.
“Stay sharp!” he warned, nocking yet another arrow. The party readied their weapons, eyes darting around, searching for any signs of an ambush.
Suddenly, two more figures emerged from the shadows of the trees—more bandits, brandishing weapons and grinning wickedly. They looked eager for a fight, eyes glinting with malice.
“Looks like the party just got a little bigger,” Thomas muttered, bracing himself for what was to come.
Chat:
FrostBite: OOOHHH, we’re in it now!
RuneMaster: Let’s go! This is the content we want!
DragonLord: Bro, you better not die out here!
With determination etched on his face, Thomas readied his bow, a surge of adrenaline fueling his every movement. He’d faced goblins before, but these bandits were a different breed. He had to protect the party and the merchant at all costs.
“Get behind me!” Thomas shouted, his voice steady. The party huddled close, looking to him for guidance.
“Let’s show these bastards what we’re made of!” he declared, a fierce grin spreading across his face. He released another arrow, ready to defend his newfound allies as chaos erupted around them.
The fight unfolded rapidly, chaos swirling around the narrow path. Two members of the party were clearly struggling against one bandit, their inexperience showing as they tried to coordinate their attacks. The other two party members worked together to take down the second bandit, but their movements were clumsy, leaving openings that the bandit exploited.
Chat: FrostBite: Come on, guys, focus! RuneMaster: They’re gonna get wrecked at this rate! VoidKnight: Where’s Thomas? He needs to step in!
Watching the scene unfold, Thomas felt a surge of frustration. He couldn't just stand by while these youngsters wasted time and energy against their foes. Taking a deep breath, he nocked two arrows in quick succession and drew his bowstring back with precision. With a determined flick of his wrist, he released both arrows, watching as they flew through the air like streaks of light.
The first arrow struck the head of the bandit harassing the two party members, dropping him instantly. The second arrow found its mark, embedding itself in the skull of the bandit who was engaged with the other two. In a matter of seconds, both threats were neutralized.
Chat: FrostBite: LET’S GOOOOO! RuneMaster: SAVED BY THE LEGEND HIMSELF! DragonLord: What a shot! This dude is on fire!
“Focus up!” Thomas shouted to the party, who were momentarily stunned by the swift turn of events. “We need to keep moving!”
The remaining party members exchanged glances, surprise quickly morphing into a mix of admiration and determination. They nodded, rallying behind Thomas’s lead.
As the escort continued, the path opened up to a sprawling landscape, the lush greenery surrounding them painted with hues of gold and green from the sun overhead. There were no further troubles on the way to the capital, and Thomas took this time to chat with his viewers.
Chat: VoidKnight: Yo, this was the perfect rescue, Thomas! IronMage69: What’s your secret? I’m trying to level up my aim too! FrostBite: What’s the plan now? Are you gonna take on more bandits?
“Just doing what I can,” Thomas replied, glancing at the lively scenery. “But yeah, if there’s an opportunity for some action in the capital, I’m all in.”
The path eventually led them to the gates of the capital city, towering walls made of stone glistening under the sun. Guards patrolled the entrance, their armor shining brightly as they inspected incoming travelers. Merchants called out, trying to lure customers with their wares, and the scent of freshly baked goods wafted through the air.
Chat: RuneMaster: Man, this place looks sick! DragonLord: Can’t wait to see what’s in the capital! FrostBite: What’s the first thing you’re gonna do?
“Probably check out the magic academy and see what kind of spells I can learn,” Thomas replied, smirking. “If I can manage to figure out how to use mana, that is.”
As they entered the city, Thomas felt a mixture of excitement and anticipation. The bustling streets were alive with energy, and he was ready to dive headfirst into whatever adventures awaited him. With the party at his side and his viewers cheering him on, he knew this was just the beginning of something extraordinary.
As Thomas approached the magic academy, he couldn't help but be awed by the grand structure. Towering spires twisted elegantly into the sky, adorned with intricate carvings that told stories of ancient magic and powerful spells. The elvish architectural design radiated a sense of elegance and sophistication, making it easily identifiable from a distance.
Chat:
FrostBite: This place looks amazing!
RuneMaster: You’re about to become a wizard, Thomas!
DragonLord: Just ask for some free samples of mana!
Once inside, Thomas approached the receptionist, a stern-looking elf with sharp features. “Excuse me, I’d like to enroll,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
The receptionist raised an eyebrow, eyeing him from head to toe. “Can you use mana?” she asked, her tone dripping with disdain.
“Uh, no,” Thomas admitted, shifting uncomfortably under her scrutinizing gaze.
“Then I suggest you don’t waste our time,” she replied coldly. “Our standards here are far too high to stoop so low for an adventurer who can’t even wield mana. You’d be better off in the library, perhaps borrowing some books to catch up on your studies.” She dismissed him with a wave of her hand, returning to her paperwork as if he were nothing more than a pesky fly.
Chat:
VoidKnight: Oof, that was brutal!
FrostBite: She straight-up roasted you, dude!
IronMage69: Talk about a reality check!
Thomas stepped back, feeling the weight of embarrassment settle in his chest. As he left the academy, he could hear the snickers and whispers from a few students who had overheard the exchange. They were all dressed elegantly in their academy uniforms, a stark contrast to his rugged adventurer attire.
“Look at him, a real-life adventurer trying to be a mage,” one of them chuckled, earning laughter from his friends.
Chat:
DragonLord: You’re the meme of the day, my guy!
RuneMaster: At least you didn’t get turned into a frog or something!
“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up,” Thomas muttered under his breath, trying to brush off the humiliation. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, but he was determined not to let it get to him. With a newfound resolve, he decided that if the academy wouldn’t accept him, he would prove them wrong.
“Time to hit the library,” he said to himself, shaking off the negativity. “I’ll learn about magic and mana, even if I have to do it on my own terms.”
As he made his way to the library, Thomas couldn’t help but think that maybe this was just the beginning of something greater. He had faced challenges before, and he was sure he could overcome this one as well. With his viewers cheering him on from the sidelines, he was ready to dive into the world of magic, even if it meant starting from the very bottom.